The Effect of Relationship Characteristics and Relational Communication on Experiences of Hurt From Romantic Partners

This study expands the relational turbulence model (RTM; Solomon & Knobloch,) by theorizing about how characteristics of relationships and relational judgments influence people's experiences of hurtful messages. Previous applications of RTM to hurt have uncovered associations among relational characteristics that influence people's hurtful experiences; however, the process by which these characteristics influence experiences of hurt remains unclear. We propose that relational communication (specifically, perceptions of dominance, and disaffiliation) is the mechanism linking relational qualities to hurt. A multigroup SEM was conducted to test for the possibility of sex differences. Results showed that people's experiences of hurt vary as a function of both relationship characteristics and relational inferences. Results also indicated a difference in path coefficients for males and females.     

Viral quantitative capillary electrophoresis for counting intact viruses

The quantification of a virus plays an important role in vaccine development, clinical diagnostics, and environmental contamination assays. In all these cases, it is essential to calculate the concentration or number of intact virus particles (ivp) and estimate the degree of degradation and contamination of virus samples. In this work, we propose a cost-efficient, robust method for the quantification and characterization of intact viruses based on capillary zone electrophoresis. This separation method is demonstrated on vaccinia virus (VV) with oncolytic properties. After virus sample preparation, the solution contains intact VV as well as broken viruses and residual DNA from the host cell used for preparation. Regulatory requirements limit the amount of the host cell DNA that can be present in vaccines or human therapeutics. We apply capillary electrophoresis to separate intact virus particles and the residual DNA and to measure the level of virus contamination with DNA impurities. Intercalating YOYO-1 dye is used to detect the encapsulated and free DNA by laser-induced fluorescence. After soft lysis of VV with proteinase K, all encapsulated DNA is dissolved to the free DNA. The change in peak areas and a DNA calibration curve help determine the initial concentration of intact viruses. This viral quantitative capillary electrophoresis (Viral qCE) is able to quantify the oncolytic vaccinia virus in the range of 10(6) to 10(12) ivp/mL.     

Mexican American middle school students' goal intentions in mathematics and science: A test of social cognitive career theory.

This study examined whether sociocontextual and sociocognitive variables explained the math/science goals of 409 Mexican American youth using a modified version of R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, and G. Hackett's (1994) social cognitive career theory. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that the hypothesized model explained a significant amount of variance in math/science goals for both Mexican American girls and boys. Findings suggested that gender did not moderate relations among the variables in the hypothesized model. Results also suggested that most of the social cognitive career theory propositions tested were supported. Specifically, social class predicted math/science past performance accomplishments. Math/science past performance accomplishments and perceived parent support predicted math/science self-efficacy. Furthermore, math/science self-efficacy predicted math/science outcome expectations, and together with math/science interests, these sociocognitive variables predicted math/science interests and goals. Contrary to expectations, generation status, Anglo orientation, and Mexican orientation did not predict math/science past performance accomplishments, and past performance accomplishments did not predict math/science outcome expectations. Furthermore, Anglo orientation and perceived social support from parents, teachers, classmates, and a close friend did not predict math/science goals. Suggestions for future research and implications of the results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cyclic Lean Reduction of NO by CO in Excess H2O on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al2O3: Elucidating Mechanistic Features and Catalyst Performance

This study provides insight into the mechanistic and performance features of the cyclic reduction of NO_x by CO in the presence and absence of excess water on a Pt–Rh/Ba/Al₂O₃ NO_x storage and reduction catalyst. At low temperatures (150–200 °C), CO is ineffective in reducing NO_x due to self-inhibition while at temperatures exceeding 200 °C, CO effectively reduces NO_x to main product N₂ (selectivity >70 %) and byproduct N₂O. The addition of H₂O at these temperatures has a significant promoting effect on NO_x conversion while leading to a slight drop in the CO conversion, indicating a more efficient and selective lean reduction process. The appearance of NH₃ as a product is attributed either to isocyanate (NCO) hydrolysis and/or reduction of NO_x by H₂ formed by the water gas shift chemistry. After the switch from the rich to lean phase, second maxima are observed in the N₂O and CO₂ concentrations versus time, in addition to the maxima observed during the rich phase. These and other product evolution trends provide evidence for the involvement of NCOs as important intermediates, formed during the CO reduction of NO on the precious metal components, followed by their spillover to the storage component. The reversible storage of the NCOs on the Al₂O₃ and BaO and their reactivity appears to be an important pathway during cyclic operation on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al₂O₃ catalyst. In the absence of water the NCOs are not completely reacted away during the rich phase, which leads to their reaction with NO and O₂ upon switching to the subsequent lean phase, as evidenced by the evolution of N₂, N₂O and CO₂. In contrast, negligible product evolution is observed during the lean phase in the presence of water. This is consistent with a rapid hydrolysis of NCOs to NH₃, which results in a deeper regeneration of the catalyst due in part to the reaction of the NH₃ with stored NO_x. The data reveal more efficient utilization of CO for reducing NO_x in the presence of water which further underscores the NCO mechanism. Phenomenological pathways based on the data are proposed that describes the cyclic reduction of NO_x by CO under dry and wet conditions.     

The role of particle size of particulate nano-zinc oxide wood preservatives on termite mortality and leach resistance

Historically most residential wood preservatives were aqueous soluble metal formulations, but recently metals ground to submicron size and dispersed in water to give particulate formulations have gained importance. In this study, the specific role nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) particle size and leach resistance plays in termite mortality resulting from exposure to particulate ZnO-treated wood was investigated. Southern yellow pine (SYP) sapwood impregnated with three concentrations of two particle sizes (30 and 70 nm) of ZnO were compared to wood treated with soluble zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) preservative for leach resistance and termite resistance. Less than four percent leached from the particulate nano-ZnO-treated specimens, while 13 to 25% of the zinc sulphate leached from the soluble treated wood. Nano-ZnO was essentially non-leachable from wood treated with 5% formulation for the 30-nm particle size. In a no-choice laboratory test, eastern subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) consumed less than 10% of the leached nano-ZnO-treated wood with 93 to 100% mortality in all treatment concentrations. In contrast, termites consumed 10 to 12% of the leached ZnSO₄-treated wood, but with lower mortality: 29% in the 1% treatment group and less than 10% (5 and 8%, respectively) in the group of wood blocks treated with 2.5 and 5.0% ZnSO₄. We conclude that termites were repelled from consuming wood treated with nano-ZnO, but when consumed it was more toxic to eastern subterranean termites than wood treated with the soluble metal oxide formulation. There were no differences in leaching or termite mortality between the two particle sizes of nano-ZnO.     

Plastic deformation of dense nanocrystalline yttrium oxide at elevated temperatures

Nanocrystalline yttrium oxide, Y₂O₃ with 110 nm average grain size was plastically deformed between 800 °C and 1100 °C by compression at different strain rates and by creep at different stresses. The onset temperature for plasticity was at 1000 °C. Yield stress was strongly temperature dependent and the strain hardening disappeared at 1100 °C. The polyhedral and equiaxed grain morphology were preserved in the deformed specimens. The experimentally measured and theoretically calculated stress exponent n = 2 was consistent with the plastic deformation by grain boundary sliding. Decrease in the grain size was consistent with decrease in the brittle to ductile transition temperature.     

Effect of network mesh size and swelling to the drug delivery from pH responsive hydrogels

pH responsive hydrogels are ideal platforms for numerous therapeutic delivery applications, including oral delivery, as they are capable of overcoming the many barriers that must be considered when creating an effective drug delivery system. Understanding of the innate hydrogel network structure and its swelling behavior at environmentally relevant conditions is vital for designing hydrogel network capable of effective controlled drug release. Herein, we explored how to expand traditional techniques of swelling and pore characterization to gain better insight into the performance of anionic microparticles composed of the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) with varying molar percentage of 10, 20, and 30 mol% of MMA, for controlled release of low-molecular-weight drugs. By evaluating these carrier systems at environmental conditions, we can observe changes in swelling and pore size of the anionic hydrogel networks as a function of MMA, which was then correlated with the release profiles of the small-molecular-weight drug sodium nitrate. With the correlation of the swelling behavior of the networks and the release profiles, we demonstrated how the expansion of swelling parameters at relevant pH values provides further incite for evaluating for the optimal blend for controlled release. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48767.     

Identification of intensity ratio break points from photon arrival trajectories in ratiometric single molecule spectroscopy

We describe a statistical method to analyze dual-channel photon arrival trajectories from single molecule spectroscopy model-free to identify break points in the intensity ratio. Photons are binned with a short bin size to calculate the logarithm of the intensity ratio for each bin. Stochastic photon counting noise leads to a near-normal distribution of this logarithm and the standard student t-test is used to find statistically significant changes in this quantity. In stochastic simulations we determine the significance threshold for the t-test's p-value at a given level of confidence. We test the method's sensitivity and accuracy indicating that the analysis reliably locates break points with significant changes in the intensity ratio with little or no error in realistic trajectories with large numbers of small change points, while still identifying a large fraction of the frequent break points with small intensity changes. Based on these results we present an approach to estimate confidence intervals for the identified break point locations and recommend a bin size to choose for the analysis. The method proves powerful and reliable in the analysis of simulated and actual data of single molecule reorientation in a glassy matrix.